In-Service, Out of Sorts: Talking to Plan Sponsors About Withdrawals From Their DB Plans

Every RPC has heard it. Usually right after a great investment year or a conversation with a CPA who’s “heard it’s allowed.” “It’s my company’s money. Why can’t I take some out?” It sounds simple. It’s not. Defined benefit and cash balance plans aren’t high-interest yielding piggy banks (that WOULD be cool).… Read More

The Asteri Collective Expands National Leadership With Three New Members

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The Asteri Collective, a national alliance of independent Retirement Plan Consulting firms, announces the addition of three new members, further strengthening its position as a central force shaping the future of retirement plan consulting. The newest members joining The Asteri Collective are: Michelle Marsh, President and Chief Visionary Officer, Retirement Plan Concepts & Services, Inc Cameron Dabir, President, The Pension Source James Brand, President, Actuarial Consulting Services, Inc (ACSI) and Mark Brand, CEO, Actuarial Consulting Services, Inc (ACSI)   Each firm brings decades of experience, deep technical specialization, and a shared commitment to high-touch service, rigorous compliance, and precision plan design.… Read More

Bundled vs. Unbundled Retirement Plans: Why the Right Structure Benefits the Entire Ecosystem

The bundled vs. unbundled conversation is usually framed around the plan sponsor. At The Asteri Collective, we think bigger. When you put the Retirement Plan Consultant (RPC) at the center, the plan structure impacts everyone in the retirement ecosystem: advisors, recordkeepers, DCIOs, and sponsors.… Read More

The Advisor’s Guide to DB/DC Client Conversations

Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re an advisor, you’re already fielding questions about DB/DC plan combinations. These are among the most powerful tax and retirement savings tools available for high-income business owners, and yet many have never heard of them.… Read More

Decumulation: Engineering a Paycheck for Life

For decades, the defined contribution (DC) system has focused almost exclusively on accumulation, how much participants save, invest, and grow their retirement assets. But as trillions of dollars now sit inside single-employer 401(k) plans, a new challenge has emerged: decumulation. How do we help participants convert those assets into sustainable, reliable income in retirement?… Read More

The Rise in PEPs and Increased Demand for 3(16) Services

With the growth of Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs), demand for 3(16) administrative services has surged. Plan sponsors are seeking providers who can take on fiduciary responsibility, streamline compliance, and reduce the operational burden that comes with administering retirement plans. This shift is creating more business for Retirement Plan Consultants (formerly known as TPAs).… Read More

The Retirement Planning Ecosystem: Roles and Responsibilities

Why the Retirement Plan Consultant Belongs at the Center of It All When business owners set out to offer a retirement plan, they’re not just offering a benefit, they’re creating a financial system that must serve the needs of the business, the employees, and the owners themselves.… Read More

Heightened Cybersecurity Concerns in Retirement Plans, and What Asteri Collective Member Firms Must Do

Rising Security Risks in Retirement Plans A June 2025 NAPA-Net / Escalent survey shows that cybersecurity threats and data breaches are now the top concern for 401(k) plan sponsors of all sizes. NAPA.net Some of the key findings: 52% of plan sponsor respondents named cybersecurity/data breaches as their greatest fear. … Read More

The Future of Data Sharing & Technology in the Retirement Planning Industry

Technology is reshaping the retirement plan industry, and at the center of it all lies data. How does data move, who is responsible for oversight, how much manual data manipulation needs to be in place, how can we protect client data… it’s all about data.… Read More

Broker-Dealers + Wirehouses: Adapting & Innovating for the Future of Retirement Planning

The retirement plan environment in 2026 is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Broker-dealers and wirehouses are balancing regulatory shifts, market volatility, changing client expectations, and rapid technological advancements. For firms operating in this environment, the need for scale, consistency, and high-touch service has never been greater.… Read More